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She hesitates before answering, biting her lower lip in that way that drives me wild. My cock stirs again at the sight, already eager for another round despite our intense fucking.

“No second thoughts,” Eve finally says, trailing her fingers down my chest. “It’s just … different. Letting someone else be in control.”

I catch her hand, bringing it to my lips to kiss each fingertip. “I know, love. But you were perfect. So beautiful when you submit to me.”

A blush spreads across her cheeks at my praise. I love how I can make this fierce, strong woman turn shy and soft in my bed. The contrast between her public and private personas is heady.

“What happens if I disobey you?” There’s a playfulness in her eyes and a slight grin on her face.

“I punish you,” I say, guiding her onto her stomach. She complies without hesitation, making me proud. “I’m not above spanking you.” I gently massage her ass before running my hands up her back to massage the tension from her muscles.

“Mmm, she hums again, melting under my touch. “Sounds like a challenge.”

I lean down to press a kiss between her shoulder blades, savoring the taste of her skin. “We’re going to have so much fun together, love. So much fun.”

My cock is fully erect again, and I can’t stop myself from easing her legs apart and slamming inside her from behind. She takes me with a cry of pleasure and my chest swells.

“This is what you get when you obey.” I thrust harder and deeper, taking her fast this time. “My cock making you scream.”

Possessive thoughts circle through my mind as I fuck her into oblivion, the sound of my name on her lips.

My wife. Mine to protect. Mine to pleasure. Mine to cherish.

The subtle lightfrom my desk lamp casts long shadows across the blueprints spread before me. My eyes burn from hours of staring at the detailed layouts of Columbus’s warehouse district, but I can’t stop now. Not when Eve’s safety hangs in the balance.

I take another sip of coffee, grimacing. I need something stronger. Pushing to my feet, I head to my small private bar to grab a bottle of Macallan and pour myself two fingers.

The quiet hum of Club Velvet Petal’s bass reverberates through the walls of my office, a constant reminder of the facade I maintain while working to keep Eve safe and suppress the mafia growing in my city. My fingers trace the routes marked in red ink—possible escape paths that Costa’s crew might use after their next hit.

The pattern is there. Each crime scene mimics Costa’s signature but with more brutality. Someone’s trying to confuse the cops and set a trap for Eve. I feel it in my gut.

My jaw clenches as I remember the determined glint in her eyes when she talked about the case. She won’t back down, my fierce detective. Which means I need to be three steps ahead of whoever’s pulling these strings.

I’m the one who killed Gio, and I’ll die before I let Eve pay the consequences of my actions.

I shuffle through the stack of surveillance photos Seb gathered. Warehouse workers, dock hands, truckers—any of them could be Alessandro’s eyes and ears. Or worse, a copycat orchestrating this whole thing. Someone making it look just like Gio’s crimes to throw off the police. The question I still need answered—is Alessandro responsible for the copycat too? Or is that Nicolo’s doing?

A fresh wave of protectiveness surges through me as I mark another potential surveillance point on the map. I’ve spent years building my network, cultivating the right connections to ensure Nicolo never gains control here. Now every single one of thoseresources will be dedicated to keeping Eve safe, whether she likes it or not.

My phone buzzes with a text from one of my informants. Another victim. Same MO as the others, except this one didn’t survive. “Fuck,” I mutter, rubbing my temples. Time’s running out. I need to figure out this puzzle before Eve ends up in the crosshairs.

I lean back in my chair, studying the web of connections I’ve mapped out on my office wall. Somewhere in this mess is the key to keeping her safe. And I won’t rest until I find it.

The soft click of my office door opening pulls my attention from the maps. Eli’s imposing frame fills the doorway, his expression unreadable as always. The sight of my old friend eases some of the tension in my shoulders.

“Any movement at the precinct?” I ask, not bothering with pleasantries. Eli knows me too well for that shit.

He crosses the room in three long strides, helping himself to my whiskey. “Our guys have eyes on every entrance. So far, Eve’s still inside, working late again.” He takes a slow sip. “Rob’s keeping watch from the coffee shop across the street. Tommy’s got the back alley covered.”

I nod, some of the knots in my gut loosening. Having my best men watching over Eve helps. “And the parking garage?”

I agreed to let her drive herself to and from work, a decision that feeds my anxiety. It’s safer if Eli drives her but I’m trying to trust her. She’s strong and a good cop. She won’t do anything stupid.

“Joey’s there. Nobody gets near her car without us knowing.” Eli settles into the chair across from my desk, his dark eyes scanning the mess of papers and photos. “You’re going to make yourself sick with all this.”

“Better sick with worry than careless.” I tap the newest crime scene photo. “Alessandro’s been upping his body counts. These aren’t random hits anymore—he’s sending a message.”

“And we’ll decode it,” Eli says with quiet confidence. “But you need to trust the system we’ve built. Our men know their jobs. They’ll alert us the second anything feels off.”